“In getting to know him, I had a sense that he brought a spiritual purpose to all of his civic work and his accomplishments.” — The Rev. Rob Fuquay, senior pastor at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Indianapolis, remembering former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Faith laid foundation for Lugar’s public service
INDIANAPOLIS (UMNS) — Former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, the longest-serving member of Congress in Indiana history, was deeply influenced by his United Methodist faith. Lugar died April 28 at the age of 87. Linda Bloom and Joey Butler report.
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Pastors provide emotional support to cyclone survivors
NGANGU, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — As relief efforts continue in parts of Zimbabwe ravaged by Cyclone Idai in March, local pastors are tending to survivors’ spiritual needs. Those who lost loved ones, homes and belongings are struggling to pick up the pieces, and pastors are doing their best to help. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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Church aids 2,000 cyclone survivors in Zimbabwe
Great Plains Conference
Omaha confirmation class declines to join church
OMAHA, Neb. — After eight months of confirmation classes, a group of eight junior-high students at Omaha First United Methodist Church said they don’t want to join the denomination until people of all sexual orientations have the right to marry in the local church and serve as pastors. David Burke has the story.
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Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference
Uniting to build Native church
DURANT, Okla. — A work team from White’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas, is planning a return trip to continue construction work on Chihowa Okla United Methodist Church. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma deeded the land to the church in 2014. The denomination’s Board of Global Ministries also approved a $20,000 grant — made available through donations on Native American Ministries Sunday — to complete electrical and plumbing requirements after the work teams finish. Ginny Underwood has the story.
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Download Native American Ministries Sunday resources
PRESS RELEASES
Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan hopes for ʽnew form of Methodism’
DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University has asked the University Senate of The United Methodist Church to postpone a site visit for one year. The school remains affiliated with the denomination, but according to a press release requested the delay “in hopes that current discussions result in a new form of Methodism that is fully inclusive in matters related to the LGBTQIA+ community.”
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Read story on Baldwin Wallace University’s decision to disaffiliate
COMMENTARIES
United Methodist News Service includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UMNS staff.
Pastor details pain of false arrest
PARSIPANNY, N.J. (UMNS) — A United Methodist pastor finds God’s grace in his false arrest, which he says gave him the chance to shine a light on what others suffer in a flawed criminal justice system. The Rev. Jeffrey Edwards writes about the charges against him that were eventually dropped.
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EVENTS
Sunday, May 5
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